Most of us I think settle for a long sleeve polypro when we are paddling leaving wet suit style outfits to cold weather and major sea miles. Am I right?

What would make me re-think this and drop the habit of a decade? It’s my experience that unless I’m racing a multi-sport event  my shirt does not need a battery of rear pockets I can’t get to anyway. This rules out multi-sport style shirts. That said, I’ve always wanted to be able to get at a food bar or gel on my upper body when the energy levels are declining.

I also need good back ventilation, long front zip and shirt shape that’s longer at the back as the old tops always seem to creep up your back.

A shirt that breathes, sheds moisture and gives A1 sun protection goes without saying but that shield against UV can’t be emphasized enough.

So does the i-RULE SURGE measure up?

Well for a start it is a lot brighter than anything else that has come out of our sponsor’s multi-sport wardrobe that I can remember. The vivid gold-yellow is reasonably visible and made more so by some stylish and subtle reflective highlights.

Fit wise it is a little roomier than say the TORO multi-sport top and the new PRIMO MTB enduro top which is intended to accommodate the thicker upper torso of the hard core paddler. They have listened and made sure there is a whale tail at the back.

An elegant feature which shows the usual i-RULE attention to detail is the use of what is known as offset seams around the back-shoulder area so there is no bunching and resultant irritation and rashes.

A long zip at the front is handy but the zip port you can take or leave, Use of i-RULE’s T vent Supplex mesh at the rear certainly helps air that area; let’s see how it copes over an extended period of heavy use.

The Deltz upper arm gel pockets are pure genius;they make it easy to grab a quick bite.

In terms of the fabric and its feel and comfort it’s actually something called LEX and feels a lot like i-RULE’s usual high tech Meryl but a little heavier and is just as comfortable. It does not offer thermo regulation so the SURGE is strictly a warm weather option. Sun protection is 50+ so that’s covered.

For warm weather paddlers wanting comfort, style, function and performance the SURGE is a fantastic match for i-RULE’s legendary TORPEDOES shorts. I’ve put in a request to have iRULE make a TROPPO sun-sweat bandana out of LEX that matches the new SURGE so my naked skull gets protection and a style makeover.